Dahlia plant named Linda

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct dahlia plant named Linda, having pure yellow-orange flower color, double flower form, dense foliage, continuous flowering, compact flower bouquet carried above the foliage, compact growth habit, and an adaptability to pot plant or natural outdoor cultures.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of dahliaplant known by the cultivar name Linda, and botanically known as DahliaCav.

Linda is a product of breeding and mutation induction programs. Theparents were selected plants used in the 1984 breeding program, and arenot presently identifiable. The cross was made by the inventor inEnkhuizen, the Netherlands, in 1984. The parents were descendants fromthe variety Figaro, a well known seed dahlia, which has created astandard for flower form, habit and leaf size. The breeding lineselected out of the progeny of the stated cross was designated breedingline number 85212 (light orange).

Plants from this selected breeding line were subjected to 2,500 rads ofgamma radiation, after which cuttings of the irradiated plants weretaken. The cuttings were stuck, grown and allowed to flower, andselections made. Selections were based primarily on intensive and uniqueflower color, early flowering, and large flower diameter, with all ofthese traits being very significant commercially. Linda was selected andidentified by selection No. 86227, and possesses all of thesecharacteristics, especially its beautiful, intense yellow-orange flowercolor.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Linda was accomplished whentuberous divisions were taken by the inventor from the new cultivarafter discovery in a controlled environment in Enkhuizen, TheNetherlands. Subsequent horticultural examination of selected units hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor Linda are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar cannot bepropagated true to type by seed.

Linda has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity, and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown inEnkhuizen, The Netherlands under greenhouse and outdoor conditions whichapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Linda, which in combination distinguish thisdahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Intense and pure yellow-orange ray floret color.

2. Double flower form, and large flower diameter.

3. Dense foliage.

4. Early flowering.

5. Continuous flowering, with the flowers being carried above thefoliage.

6. Compact growth habit.

7. Adaptable to pot plant culture as well as natural outdoor growth.

8. Flowers carried on relatively short pedicels.

Relevant cultivars for comparison purposes are the seed varietiesRigoletto and Figaro. In comparison to Rigoletto, Linda is more compact,has a double flower form, and a more pure yellow-orange ray floretcolor. Linda is distinguished from Figaro by its more compact habit,earlier flowering, and the purity of its yellow-orange ray floret color.Purity refers to a highly uniform color that is not tinged or overlaid.Linda can also be compared to the turberous propagated cultivarMargaret, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,769. Both cultivars havedouble flower form, compact growth habit, and continuous flowering.Linda is distinguished from Margaret by Linda's deep orange-yellow color(Margaret is bright yellow), smaller leaves and more compact habit.

The accmpanying color photographic drawing is a perspective view showingtypical inflorescence and foliage characteristics of Linda, with colorsbeing as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined atEnkhuizen, The Netherlands, and the characteristics noted below arebased on plants grown at the same location.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dahlia cav. cv Linda (Group IV, peony flowered,classification of International Dahlia Register, 1969).

Commercial.--Dahlia.

Parentage:

A selection from an induced irradiation program involving gammairradiation of plants of the selected breeding line 85212 (lightorange), which resulted from a cross of unknown parents.

Plant:

Form.--Generally round.

Size.--Approximately 21 cm in height (from top of pot) at time offlowering.

Growth habit.--Compact.

Foliage.--Size: Small, length approximately 6 cm; width approximately 3cm. Quantity: Abundant, dense. Color: Medium green, approximately 136A.Shape: Generally ovate, edges serrated, tip blunt to slightly pointed.Texture: Relatively dull.

Flowers:

Form.--Double.

Shape.--Overall inflorescence is generally flat, with petals beinggenerally blunt or slightly rounded tips; firm.

Size.--Individual ray florets approximately 3.0 cm long and 2.0 cm wide;overall inflorescence approximately 7 cm in diameter.

Borne.--On pedicels which are approximately 4 cm in length (from flowerto top part of leaves); top of the pedicel oriented at approximately100° to the vertical axis of the plant; flowers carried compactly abovethe foliage; very floriferous.

Continuity.--Continuously flowers outdoors after first flower opens.

Stems.--Color of new stem is light green, with flowering stem beinggreen.

Color.--Fully open: Upper surface 21C. Under surface 11B. Half open:Upper surface 21B. Under surface 16B.

Reproductive organs: Normal.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of dahlia plant named Linda, asillustrated and described.